Encoder/Format Comparison
(Bell & Bell, 2001)

varies from free to expensive

$29.95 for QuickTime Pro; often included in audio editors

RealSystem Producer Basic (free); RealSystem Producer Plus ($149.95); often included in audio editors

free; often included in audio editors

varies

easy; preinstalled on Macs

varies from easy to frustratingly difficult

built into new versions of Windows; easy, if added on

more free tools available than any other format; wide support on portable players

server source code availability for four major platforms bodes well for future viability

flexible, free tools for encoding and streaming; good, expensive tools for commercial distribution

high-quality sound with lower file size; heavyweight corporate support

sell your music; pay Fraunhofer; poorer sound than other formats at low bit rates

smallest installed base of players

proprietary player nags users to upgrade to paid version

confusing encoder interface

ability to embed a graphic in the ID3 tag

supports looping multiple tracks, video, flexible embedding, and much more

RealPlayer clients slated for Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nokia's Media Station

supports encryption